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Patron Saint of RITE OF AVALON
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Symbols:
the White Dove, the Rose, the Holy Cup, the Shepherd's Staff,
Hearth, Sacred Well
Keywords:
Fecundity, Compassion, Nurturing, Well-Being, Mystic Vision,
Illumination
Elements: The
Sacred Four (Fire, Water, Earth & Air)
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"In 1993 the fire was
symbolically re-lit, and a light from that flame now burns in
Solas Bhride community, established by a group of Brigidine sisters
who are bringing 'Brigid' back to Kildare. The fire is kept burning
and is tended by these women today.
"This fifth century
woman was a strong, compassionate and delightful person with a
special love for the poor, and a deep sense of learning and culture.
The memory with a commitment of Brigid is currently undergoing a
revival and renewal, not only in Ireland, but also among religious
women and others in North America, Canada, Scandinavia, Africa,
Holland, here in Australia and many other countries across the world.
"...as we move into a
new millennium, Brigid is again revealed as threshold woman, lighting
our way along the path of justice and renewal across the earth."
- Gail Donovan, 02/2000
Gail
Donovan
Ode to Brighde
by Maia Christianne
Brighde, guide me to thy Holy Ground where
still, twixt and 'tween the veils of time, thy temple doth arise.
Offer me thy waters sweet with wisdom poured
from the Christed Cup; and I, a servant of His flock shall drink from
this proffered dish sublime.
Who shall stand beside me when all the flowers
dim and die,
and every tree is bared and glazed with wintery bones of ice and
storm?
Who shall sooth my brow at night, when light
evades my weary eyes, and life is drawn from the sap to break the
bough of time?
Come to me then, Mother of the Well, and tend my
tattered mind. Shake me gently from my sleep and lift me to thy flame,
That I shall wake and follow thee, back into the
hills,
where all the Children are gathered 'round thy skirts,
and sun and moon doth join as one, about thy golden hair.
Never shall I stray again when I return to thee
in the Land of Avalon.
WOMEN OF THE AVALON SHIELD, gather
about the Sacred Flame in the Temple of Brighde. What do
you see in the Flame? What is your heart's desire to serve the
Light? Look not to the "doing" but the
"being" of the service. How does it sing to thee?
As Keepers of the Flame, so you must come to know that nothing
is too little or to great to feed the Flame. Move to that space within
you that embraces the TRUTH of your soul. Pad unshod, down the silent
halls in the glow of candlelight to the one place in your Heart that
opens to the Sun. When you do, so there shall you stand,
unadorned and FREE from all contrivances that limit your experience of
the Divine.
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